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On Starting Over Again (the movie)

For certain reasons, there was a special affinity when I watched the trailer of Star Cinema’s Valentine movie Starting Over Again.

Maybe it was the familiar UP maroon-and-green sablay shown on the movie’s trailer that caught my attention.

Graduation – starting a new beginning.

…or possibly because it has the storyline that we all can relate to.

Is love really lovelier the second time around? Or was it just love that became dormant — due to routine, lack of challenges, need for growth outside of the partner, etc. — that needed another spark to re-ignite the dying embers of the relationship that has gone cold.

Well, one thing’s for sure, Starting Over Again is another movie that has banked on the pattern of love found, love lost and love rekindled (note: this was written before I was able to watch the movie).

Just like some of these three previous blockbusters:

(Note: All three movies share two similarities: Actor John Lloyd Cruz and Director Cathy Garcia-Molina)

1. One More Chance (2007) – John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo

One More Chance.

What happened the first time: Need for Growth outgrew Familiarity

Popoy and Basha were college sweethearts and were inseparable even after graduation by working for the same firm. Over time, Popoy was becoming too familiar with Basha thinking that he and Basha always share the same thoughts and plans. Eventually, Basha got fed up. Basha needed (or thought she needed) to grow outside her unconsciously domineering boyfriend. She felt that Popoy was confining her in his world and holding her back from fulfilling her potential. He had no choice but to let her go.

Starting Again:

Popoy and Basha, after overcoming the awkward moment of working together for a project, realized that they felt the happiest when they’re together.

Unforgettable Lines:

Popoy: “She had me at my worst and you had me at my best. At binaliwala mo lang lahat ng ‘yon..”Basha: “Popoy, yun ba talaga ang tingin mo? I just made a choice.”Popoy: “And you chose to break my heart.” (ouch!)

2. My Amnesia Girl (2010) – John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga

My Amnesia Girl.

What happened the first time:Fear of Failure

They hit it off the first time they meet and there seemed to be nothing to stand in Apollo and Irene’s way — including cheesy pick up lines — towards living happily ever after. But on the day that Irene thought to be her happiest, Apollo made it her saddest as he, while staring at Irene walking down the aisle, chickened out and ran for his life. He thought that it would be better to have a failed relationship than to have a failed marriage. Apollo was already thinking of failure even before the first obstacle arrives.

Starting Again:

Apollo, after getting a taste of numerous relationship, felt that Irene was the best he ever had. He looked for her and once found, she feigned amnesia. But she can’t feign love. She might as well have said: “Ang utak nakakalimot, ang puso hindi.”

3. It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013) – John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo

It Takes a Man and a Woman

What happened the first time:Long Distance Affair

Theirs was a fairy tale love story if ever there was one. He’s a guy every girl could dream of. She’s a girl every boy could pass unnoticed. But Laida made sure that her passing glances and occasional effort to be noticed by her dream boy Miggy would not be in vain. True enough, after a number of difficult moments at that start, Laida and Miggy started A Very Special Love that blossomed as Laida taught Miggy how not be self-centered and accept the reality of being an illegitimate son. Miggy could have said to Laida: You Changed My Life for the better. But as Laida went abroad to pursue her dream, their relationship took a turn for the worse when Miggy was caught by Laida red-handed kissing an old flame when Miggy was mourning the death of his father and Laida got delayed in consoling him because of her own family problems.

Starting Again:

They knew they still love each other. But their pride got in the way. And it took him and her to unlock the barriers set up by their own proud selves.

Unforgettable Lines:

“This is the man I want to be. For the first time in my life, I wanna be the last. I wanna be the last man you’ll ever love. ” – Miggy

Starting Over Again.

This Time: Starting Over Again

What happened the first time: Ginny left Marco for no apparent reason (moviegoers will be curious for the real reason here)

Starting Again: For some reason not explained, Ginny and Marco became associates in a business project (Note:to be continued once I get to watch the movie — will create a separate blog post for this — click here: https://marksalidiogoroy.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/on-watching-the-movie-starting-over-again/).